Constructing A Kid-Proof Layout

e*Train Issue: Apr 2002 | Posted in: Operating & Layouts

by Jim Herron

The layout is 4′ x 6′, constructed of 3/4″ particle board for soundproofing. The particle board was attached to three 2 x 4’s as cross beams for strength. A 4′ x 6′ piece of 1/4″ cork and an indoor/outdoor carpet were attached to the particle board, and wheels attached to the 2 x 4’s for easy disposition under the bed when not in use. We went to J.R.’s Hobby Shop for the track, deciding on “O” gauge because of the clearance of engines and passenger cars on the 022 switches. New track was purchased, including three 4′ straight sections (less clickety clack), two straight half sections, ten curves, three switches, and a #260 red bumper. The resulting layout design was an outer oval, an inside loop/passing track, and a spur off the inside loop. Fiber pins were installed for non-derailing at the switches, and all the tracks were screwed down. Power for the layout is supplied by a 125 watt Lionel LW transformer. The track was wired with an illuminated green lockon, with a separate switch for power to the spur, switch wired…and we were ready to go to the next step.

For the “modest landscaping”, Moondog roadbed was ordered. On the inner loop are a Noma station, Plasticville post office, fire house and church, an ice cream stand and #394 red beacon. On the other side of the street are located a Plasticville gas station, bank and police station. Three crossing gates and Lionel #410 Bill Boards fill the area. Now ready to roll, running trains led by an MTH Railking Amtrak Dash 8.

All this took about 12 hours to complete at a cost of $600, including the rolling stock and engine. It looks nice and “runs hands off forever”; to me the sign of a good toy train layout.

Shop Amazon and Help TCA

TCA members who shop at Amazon.com can have each of their normal purchases generate a modest payment to TCA! And it won’t cost you anything!

The Train Collectors Association is now a participant with AmazonSmile, which is a special website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.

The difference is that when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

The process is simple. Just search for and select Train Collectors Association when you sign up and shop at smile.amazon.com.

You use your regular Amazon.com username and password, but when you log in to smile.amazon.com, you’ll see that you are supporting TCA with your purchases:

Note that if you just log in to the regular amazon.com, this benefit does not operate.

There are no costs to either you or TCA, but TCA benefits!

This is a great way for TCA to earn extra cash to offset costs, so sign up today to help support TCA.

* Note: TCA is not a party to any of your Amazon transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors.

Helping TCA with your ebay purchases when you use PayPal

If you’re an ebay user and have a PayPal account you use to make payments, you can designate a donation for TCA when you’re checking out — any amount, small or large.
If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can pre-designate a percentage of your sales to be donated automatically in your name to TCA as long as the purchaser pays with their PayPal account.

In both cases, you will receive a donation receipt from the PayPal Giving Fund, and enjoy applicable tax advantages.

How to do it:

Click on the image above, or use this link. This will take you to ebay, where you will see the following page (log in to ebay if you are not already):

This offers TCA as an option. Click on the “Add to My Charities” button where indicated with the red arrow. Thereafter, when you make a purchase, at checkout you will be offered the option to make a donation to TCA in any amount of your choosing. Small amounts add up, larger ones are great! It’s always up to you!

The option will appear at the lower part of your checkout page, something like this:

If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can allocate a portion of your sales proceeds to be donated to TCA. Look at the green arrow marked “Optional” above to see how to do it. Details on how ebay calculates the donation may be read here. This is a wonderful way to share the financial benefits of your hobby with the organization that promotes it!

An added benefit to TCA is that these donations are not subject to normal processing fees, so that makes your donation work harder!

* Note. TCA is not a party to any of your eBay transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors. PayPal issues the receipts to you for your donation, not TCA.

Constructing A Kid-Proof Layout

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